The new Google Pixel 3 models have been out for a month now. However, one of the best things about the Google event announcing the Pixel 3 devices was just how many of the new features and updates would be coming to the (now) older Google Pixel 2 phones! As a Pixel 2 owner, I was thrilled with the features that would be coming and it makes the Pixel 2 phones still a fantastic buy today.
The Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL are fantastic for world travelers for several reasons, not the least of which is Google Fi compatibility. If you were looking for a new phone, you want to check this deal out and see if it is for you!
Great Deal on the Google Pixel 2 XL
Link: Deal on the Google Pixel 2 XL $404 (refurbished)
Especially at this price! Yes, this is a refurbished phone but I have bought many things from Best Buy in this classification in the past and have been quite pleased with most of them. The ones I did have problems with were quickly taken care of by Best Buy, so take all of that for what it is worth to you!
Yes, this is Black Friday week coming up and yes there will be deals on the new Pixel 3 (like taking $150 off one of them or getting 50% off a second if you buy one at full price). That means a Pixel 3 XL will cost you $749 – an increase of $344 over this deal. Is the new Pixel 3 worth it over the Pixel 2 refurb? Again, you decide what you want to spend. I think that the newer phone would be worth that difference but that is still a lot of money to spend on a phone so there you go!
Oh, and if you want the 128GB version (the one above is the 64GB), click this link and select to be notified if it comes back in stock. If it does, that is the same exact price!
Here are some of the things that are incredible about the Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL (except for the larger battery and larger screen, they are essentially the same phone on the inside):
Google Pixel 2 is Google Fi Ready
Link: Google Fi
Google Fi is one of my all-time favorite tools for international travel and communication. And, yes, I use it on my iPhone. But, it only has complete functionality for native calling and the hybrid switching technology for use in the US if you have it with a Fi-certified phone.
Not only is the Google Pixel 2 a Fi-certified phone, it is also the first phone to come with an eSIM for automatic setup without needing a SIM card. Not bad at all! I am sure I am not the only one to have misplaced a SIM card so this comes in handy!
You can put another SIM in later if you want but you cannot use both the eSIM and SIM at the same time – it is one or the other.
Google Pixel 2 Has An Incredible Camera
The original Pixel was lauded for its camera abilities and the Google Pixel 2 takes that up a notch. According to many sources, including DxO Mark (people have varied opinions of their testing as well so take that for what its worth), the Pixel 2 has an incredible camera.
Yes, it is a single camera (the , S9+, Note 9 and the iPhone XS and XS Max have dual cameras) but Google is really putting their software and learning capabilities to work by creating their own portrait mode with software putting areas out of focus. It should learn more as the software improves to make even those photos better.
Crazy Nighttime Shooting
Oh, and a new feature that is coming out now is just astounding nighttime shooting. It is basically like a crazy version of HDR that takes a bunch of shots in just a moment’s time and then blends it to maximize the lighting condition. Sure, there will be noise in some photos but that will be in almost no light at all!
Language Translation
Use the new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel Buds for translation
I suggest you read this post for more details but the language translation skills of the Google Pixel 2 when coupled with any headphones with built-in Google Assistant is just amazing! I tried it with a variety of languages and it handled them pretty seamlessly! For any traveler visiting different countries, this would be a huge asset.
Worth It?
If you are a Google Fi user or want to be, you cannot buy a better Google phone than this. Yes, it will become an older model in just a few months but the phone was so well designed in the first place that it should be a great phone for a while.
By the way, it is worth noting as well that it is the Verizon model. This means you could activate it on Verizon or Google Fi – a nice deal for either user!
I have the Google Pixel 2 (the XL’s baby brother) and it is my travel phone/backup phone. I love it! If it wasn’t for iMessage, it would be my everyday phone for sure (I am actually transitioning to it more and more because of how much I like it).
It is up to you but I at least wanted to bring this lower price to your attention as I always get questions about this phone and Google Fi.
